The Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand (SCANZ) is a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community of researchers contributing to the betterment of society. We advocate for and advance the study of the arrangement of the atoms in matter, its causes, its nature, and its consequences. We facilitate education, outreach, and support research in fields as diverse as sustainability, resources, and health.
Studying crystals gives us an exciting glimpse into the world of atoms and molecules. Our scientists use various X-ray, neutron, and electron diffraction and imaging techniques to probe structures with atomic-level precision.
The SCANZ Executive represents laboratories, researchers, and institutes within the region.
Recognising the achievements of leading scientists in Australia and New Zealand.
Organising education and outreach activities to promote the value of crystallography.
Promoting communication through regional conferences and scientific forums.
The society has about 250 members worldwide, mostly in Australia and New Zealand. SCANZ has a formal connection with Australian Academy of Science, via the National Committee for Crystallography (NCCr), and the National Committee for Materials Science and Engineering (NCMSE).
Membership Our people
Crystal35, the 35th Biennial Conference of the Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand (SCANZ), was held from 27th to 29th October 2024 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
Read the report recently published in the IUCr Newsletter.
The IUCr Newsletter is the web magazine of the International Union of Crystallography.
Since 1993, the IUCr Newsletter has been published quarterly and distributed to over 13,000 crystallographers worldwide. In August 2018, it was transformed into a dynamic digital platform with a fresh new look. Its aim remains to bring together the crystallographic community.
See the latest IUCr Newsletter.
Polymorphism, the phenomenon where the same chemical entity yields different crystal forms, directly impacts on the behaviour of many industrially relevant chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Read the IUCr Newsletter article by UNSW X-ray crystallographer, Dr Mohan Bhadbhade.
AlphaFold has revolutionalised structural biology. What's next for structural biology? Read the IUCr newsletter editorial by SCANZ members Prof. Charlie Bond and Prof. Edward Baker on the topic.
Professor Vanessa Peterson from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has been awarded the 2022 Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science. Professor Peterson’s significant research targets functional materials at the heart of energy technology such as batteries, fuel cells and materials for the separation and storage of energy relevant gases including hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Vanessa was the recipient of the Sandy Mathieson Medal in 2017.
You can read about the award here and watch a video outlining Vanessa's achievements and work.
Professor Yun Liu (ANU) has been awarded an ARC Laureate Fellowship and the Georgina Sweet award in 2021. The Georgina Sweet Fellowship, which supports the promotion of women in research, is awarded to one outstanding female Laureate each year. You can read all about Yun's award in the latest newsletter.
SCANZ membership includes recognition of membership of the crystallography community, an online forum for research questions, career development and education, reduced conference registration fees, eligibility for research awards and Maslen conference scholarships, and the latest SCANZ and IUCr newsletters.
There are membership categories for regular, student and corporate members. For retirees, a life membership can be purchased. Please contact the treasurer (email).
SCANZ membership is on a calendar year basis. Prices shown are currently the same in AUD and NZD. To join, two current members will need to sponsor your application; they are required to be current financial members as well. Please write to the current SCANZ secretary if you do not know any sponsors.
Login to your account to check your membership status or update your details.
The Lawrence Bragg Medal is awarded for distinguished contributions to science involving X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction and/or imaging.
Application information will be circulated via email to members when the award is open (in the lead up to SCANZ meetings).
Award Recipients
Illustrative Application Form
The Sandy Mathieson Medal is awarded for distinguished contributions to science involving diffraction or imaging by a researcher within 15 years of the award of their PhD.
The Sandy Mathieson Medal is awarded annually. Application information will be circulated via email to members when the award is open.
Maslen Scholarships are awarded to selected postgraduate members to help fund attendance and present research at crystallography conferences.
Application details and scholarship conditions will be circulated via email to members when the award is open (typically in the lead up to affiliated national and international conferences).
Honorary Life Membership of the Society may be granted to a person pre-eminent in Crystallography and/or one who has rendered conspicuous service to the Society.
Please see the Constitution, Article III, Section 3 for details of the process. Honorary Life Members (to be added).
Maureen Mackay Travel Awards are given to support those with carer responsibilities to attend national or international meetings that encompass scientific fields represented by SCANZ.
Application details and scholarship conditions will be circulated to members via email when the award is open (typically twice a year – COB 30th April each year for conferences held from April to September and COB 30th September each year for conferences held from September to April).
Christopher Sumby The University of Adelaide
Emily Parker Victoria University of Wellington
Charlie Bond University of Western Australia
David Turner Monash University
Jack Clegg The University of Queensland
Kurt Krause The University of Otago
Lauren Macreadie University of Sydney
James Hester The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Stephanie Gras La Trobe University
Michelle Miller The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Vacant
